Quasi-Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells for Efficient and Stable Power Generation under Room Light Conditions

Abstract

Highly efficient quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (QS-DSSCs) are fabricated using nanocomposite gel electrolytes and applied under room light conditions (200 lx). To obtain high energy conversion efficiency in QS-DSSCs, the important components of the DSSC are systematically optimized based on their performance in liquid-state DSSCs. It shows that the liquid cell using the 3-methoxypropionitrile-based cobalt electrolyte has higher efficiency (18.91%) than the cell using the acetonitrile-based electrolyte (17.82%) under 200 lx illumination due to the higher charge recombination resistance at the photoelectrode/electrolyte interface for the 3-methoxypropionitrile system. Poly­(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) is utilized as the gelator of the liquid electrolytes to prepare polymer gel electrolytes. Furthermore, to improve the performance of the QS-DSSCs, different metal oxide nanoparticles are introduced as nanofillers of the polymer gel electrolytes. It shows that the zinc oxide nanofillers have a superior performance in increasing the cell efficiency and the energy conversion efficiencies of the QS-DSSCs are higher than those of the corresponding liquid cells. By regulating the concentration of the zinc oxide nanofillers, the efficiency of the 3-methoxypropionitrile based QS-DSSC can achieve a value of 20.11% under 200 lx illumination. This QS-DSSC has a long-term stability at 35 °C.

Challenges and prospects of ambient hybrid solar cell applications

“…Several groups studied the replacement of the common acetonitrile solvent with higher-boiling solvents, usually causing a measurable, but not too signicant (<10%), drop in performance. 10,70 46 Nonetheless, a direct analysis of the effects of solvent choice on the stability of indoor DSCs has yet to be pursued. Intriguingly, rather than causing the malfunction of the photovoltaic cell, the drying of metal complex-based electrolytes leads to the formation of a solid-state hole conducting material, giving this class of electrolytes a signicant edge towards longterm durability over their I À /I 3 À counterparts.…”

“…65,66,71 When adding zinc oxide nanocomposites, Venkatesan et al increased the conductivity of their cobalt complex-based gel electrolyte. 70 Wang et al and Venkatesan et al both performed stability tests of DSCs at room temperature under diffused light. 46,66 Venkatesan et al demonstrated that gelating the electrolyte with poly(ethylene oxide) increased the cells' durability.…”

One-Step Photocontrolled Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly (Photo-PISA) by Using In Situ Bromine-Iodine Transformation Reversible-Deactivation Radical Polymerization

“…Among these polymers, the linear block copolymer has the simplest structure, so the investigation of its self-assembly behaviour is the most extensive and in-depth [1,2]. The self-assembly of block copolymers has a wide range of applications in materials, chemistry, nanoscience, and biomedicine [3,4]. However, in the conventional method, in order to in materials, chemistry, nanoscience, and biomedicine [3,4].…”

“…The self-assembly of block copolymers has a wide range of applications in materials, chemistry, nanoscience, and biomedicine [3,4]. However, in the conventional method, in order to in materials, chemistry, nanoscience, and biomedicine [3,4]. However, in the conventional method, in order to obtain a better nanostructure morphology, the concentration of the block copolymer solution needs to be highly diluted [5,6], which limits its potential application.…”

Novel Architecture of Indoor Bifacial Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells with Efficiencies Surpassing 25% and Efficiency Ratios Exceeding 95%

“…The optimal redox for dim light operation is lower than that for sun-light environmental. [9][10][11] One of the other factors determining the performance of indoor To prepare bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the classical photoelectrode employing the main light-absorbing layer (ML) and scattering layer (SL) will encounter the scattering effect of SL to the rear-side incident light and, thereby, decrease the rear-side efficiencies. To solve this problem, the SL has always been removed for the fabrication of bifacial cells.…”